Weapon Skin — overwatch

Promotional image of the release of Hard Light Weapon Skins'"`UNIQ--ref-00000000-QINU`"' — Promotional image of the release of Hard Light Weapon Skins^[1]

Weapon Skins are weapon cosmetics introduced in Overwatch 2. Weapon skins can be equipped through the Hero Gallery under Weapon Skins and can change the weapon a Hero has equipped, regardless of the hero skin equipped and have unique sound effects or visual designs compared to typical weapons. Heroes with no weapon skins will not have a Weapon Skins tab in the Hero Gallery.

From Season 11 onwards, each season features a new Mythic weapon skin, available to buy in the Mythic Shop.^[2]

Details

First introduced in Season 8: Call of the Hunt, weapon skins change the weapon a hero has equipped and will take priority over the current weapon of the hero skin. This means if you equip a certain weapon skin for Reinhardt, then changing the hero skin will not change appearance of the weapon they have equipped. They can be used alongside Weapon Variants, to change the material of the weapon skin. Heroes with multiple weapons, such as Mercy, will have all their weapons changed to the Weapon Skin equipped.

Legendary weapon skins can have additional cosmetic features that make them more unique than default skins, such as unique sounds and visual effects. For example, the Los Muertos weapon skins have distinctive designs that change colour if they're in darker areas of a map.

Mythic weapon skins are similar to Mythic Skins, with various unlockable levels of cosmetical features. Mythic weapon skins can be bought through the Mythic Shop at a base level for 50, with further levels costing 10. Further levels of mythic weapon skins can unlock further exclusive sound and visual effects, including a weapon flourish emote, elimination visual effects and reactive effects.^[3]

Obtaining

Every hero has a "Default" weapon skin, which will be the current hero's skins default weapon. This is, like every common Overwatch 2 skin, already unlocked for every hero.

Legendary

Legendary weapon skins can be purchased in the shop for 1200 each. Typically, when new legendary weapon skins are released into the shop they are sold individually and as a "Mega Bundle", which offer all of those themed weapon skins for ~20% cheaper.

Whilst they are available in the shop, you can "Try Out" the weapon skins through a button option next to the purchase option. By pressing this, the player is sent to the Practice Range, where they are loaded directly into the game, skipping the hero selection option, with the weapon skin already equipped. While in the Practice Range, the player can still change heroes as normal and when changing back to the hero with the weapon skin equipped, the weapon skin will still be equipped even if you change that hero's skin.

Mythic

Mythic weapon skins, like all Mythic cosmetics, are purchased through the Mythic Shop at a base level for 50. Further levels can be bought for 10, adding further unique effects, such as a weapon flourish emote, elimination visual effects and reactive effects. ^[3]

Unlike Legendary weapon skins, Mythic weapon skins have a consistent release pattern. From season 11 onwards, each season features a new mythic weapon skin available in the Mythic Shop during the mid-season patch. ^[2]

Similar to Legendary weapon skins, there is the option to "Try Out" the weapon skin in the Mythic Shop, loading the player into the Practice Range with the weapon skin equipped to the hero, fully upgraded to the maximum level, for players to test out.

List of Weapon Skins

Legendary

Hard Light

Hero	Image	Details
Reaper	Hard Light	His Hellfire Shotguns have a more dulled sounding shot, almost muffled. This muffled sounds shot also applies for his ultimate Death Blossom, being able to be heard throughout his ultimate as he shoots. His guns also have a small hologram-like particles that travel along the edges of the shotguns, dissipating at the ends.
Reinhardt	Hard Light	Reinhardt's Rocket Hammer would create a futuristic sound with each swing, similar to that of Light Sabers from Star Wars. His Fire Strike would have a similar sound as the animation made the hammer swing upwards. His Earthshatter would have a more pacified sound than his default, as if it was a lighter impact. His
Mercy	Hard Light	Mercy's Caduceus Staff has a slightly higher pitched beam sounds, being a bit more dulled too similarly to Reaper's Hard Light weapons. Her staff has particles similar to reaper's shotguns, travelling along the staff until they reach the end, from where the staff has a hard-light aura emanating.
Mercy	Hard Light	Her Hard Light Caduceus Blaster has a higher-pitched bullet sound than her normal blaster would, sounding futuristic and slightly muffled similar to other Hard Light weapons. When reloading, the blaster makes a beeping-noise followed by a prolonged high-pitched sound, ending just before the reload is complete.

Los Muertos

Hero	Image	Details
Junkrat	Los Muertos	The bombs emitted from Junkrat's Frag Launcher have a much lower-sounding explosion noise at the start, whilst as it travels the bomb has a sound similar to a firework with a slight whistle, until it explodes. The explosion it has on impact is sightly quieter as well, being a bit higher pitched but not too noticeable. The gun's tattoos while in light-covered areas shine a neon-light blue, whilst in darker shadowy areas it shines a neon-lime green colour.
Junkrat	Los Muertos	Junkrat's mine has not got much uniqueness to it as other weapons do. The noise is slightly duller; however, the colours of the mine and handle do not change based on light like the other Los Muertos skins, nor does the explosion sound much different.
Soldier: 76	Los Muertos	Soldier's Heavy Pulse Rifle have lower sounding shots, with a higher pitched end. It sounds similar to an arcade-shooter shot. His Helix Rockets emit a high-pitched game-like sound at release, then travel and land as normal. For Soldier: 76's gun, in light-covered areas the tattoo aspects of them shine a neon-lime green colour, whilst in darker shadowy areas they are a more neon pink/purple colour.

Charity

Hero	Image	Details
Mercy	Rose Gold
Mercy	Rose Gold

Collab Skins

Nerf

Hero	Image	Details
Baptiste	Nerf Loadout Commander
Cassidy	Nerf or Nothin'
Genji	Nerf Slingerang
Hanzo	Nerf Big Bad Bow
Mei	Nerf Super Soaker XP100
Soldier: 76	Nerf N Series Pinpoint
Tracer	Nerf Gelfire Pro

Mythic

Hero	Image	Details
Ana	Midnight Sun	Level 1 ( 50): Unlocks the base weapon skin, without unique effects or sounds. Level 2 ( 10): Unlocks "Reactivity" - Eliminations enhances the visual and sound effects of the weapon, with Ana's weapon able to change color if damaging or healing. Level 3 ( 10): Unlocks the weapon flourish animation - Ana performs a spin with her Sleep Dart, which can be fired mid-animation. Can be looped. Level 4 ( 10): Unlocks unique kill/assist effects - final blows or assists from Ana will strike the enemy with a sword from above, almost as if smitten by the heavens, disintegrating them in flames.
Ashe	Lead Rose	Level 1 ( 50): Unlocks the base weapon skin, without unique effects or sounds. Level 2 ( 10): Unlocks "Reactivity" - Earning eliminations enhances the visual and sound effects of the weapon. Level 3 ( 10): Unlocks the weapon flourish animation - Ashe shakes a rose in her hand, and when the flourish key is released, throws it. Level 4 ( 10): Unlocks unique kill effect - final blows by Ashe will create a pink double slash effect, and rose petals .
Cassidy	Blazing Sunsetter	Level 1 ( 50): Unlocks the base weapon skin. Level 2 ( 10): Eliminations enhances the weapon's effects. Level 3 ( 10): Unlocks the weapon flourish - Cassidy performs spinning tricks with his revolver. Level 4 ( 10): Final blows targets to be consumed by a one-eyed flaming skull, that quickly dissipates.
Genji	Sumi-ichimonji	Level 1 ( 50): Unlocks the base weapon skin, without unique effects or sounds. Level 2 ( 10): Unlocks "Reactivity" - Earning eliminations enhances the weapons visual effect and sounds, causing black-red fire to emit from the weapons. Level 3 ( 10): Unlocks weapon flourish animation - Genji fidgets with his shurkins, spinning them or rolling one through his fingers. Level 4 ( 10): Unlocks unique kill effect - final blows cause a black-red slash that bursts into white smoke behind an ink dragon with symbols.
Hanzo	File:Hanzo Weapon Skin Tokyo Rebel.png Tokyo Rebel
Juno	Star Shooter	Level 1 ( 50): Unlocks the base weapon skin. Level 2 ( 10): Eliminations enhances the weapon's effects. Level 3 ( 10): Unlocks the weapon flourish - Dipper (a small alien bear) jumps out of the weapon, flipping and waving Level 4 ( 10): Final Blows cause a small UFO to appear above targets that abducts them with a glowing pink/purple tractor beam, rings, and sparkles
Kiriko	Spirit Keeper	Level 1 ( 50): Unlocks the base weapon skin. Level 2 ( 10): Eliminations enhances the weapon's effects. Level 3 ( 10): Unlocks the weapon flourish - Kiriko spins her kunai, with 3 different possible animations. Level 4 ( 10): Final Blows causes targets to explode with a blue nine-tailed fox briefly appearing.
Mercy	Merciful Magitech Staff Merciful Magitech Blaster	Level 1 ( 50): Unlocks the base weapon skin, without unique effects or sounds. Level 2 ( 10): Unlocks "Reactivity" - Adds visual and sound effects on the weapon when using abilities. Level 3 ( 10): Unlocks the weapon flourish animation - Mercy bounces Eleos, the hamster on the staff, up and down atop the staff. Level 4 ( 10): Unlocks unique kill/assist effects - Assists by mercy will make an ally burst a heart-shaped puff of light, while final blows by Mercy makes enemies burst into the same light.
Orisa	Capsule Cannon	Level 1 ( 50): Unlocks the base weapon skin. Level 2 ( 10): Eliminations enhances the weapon's effects. Level 3 ( 10): Unlocks the weapon flourish - A small plushie jumps out of the weapon, which Orisa can squish before disguarding. Level 4 ( 10): Final Blows cause targets to explode in a cute starry explosion.
Reaper	Steel Death	Level 1 ( 50): Unlocks the base weapon skin, without unique effects or sounds. Level 2 ( 10): Unlocks "Reactivity" - Earning eliminations enhances the weapons visual effect and sounds, causing soul-like smoke to emerge from the weapons. Level 3 ( 10): Unlocks weapon flourish animation - Reaper sharpens the blades of his shotguns against eachother. Level 4 ( 10): Unlocks unique kill effect - final blows cause a burst of dark smoke to emerge from the ground, forming a blue skull as it dissipates.
Reinhardt	Bound Demon	Level 1 ( 50): Unlocks the base weapon skin, without unique effects or sounds. Level 2 ( 10): Unlocks "Reactivity" - Earning eliminations enhances the visual and sound effects of the weapon. Level 3 ( 10): Unlocks the weapon flourish animation - Reinhardt performs a quick spin with his hammer. Level 4 ( 10): Unlocks unique kill effect - final blows by Reinhardt will make the enemy burst into flames, almost as if a mini volcanic eruption, with an ignited runic circle left behind.
Soldier: 76	Deliverance	Level 1 ( 50): Unlocks the base weapon skin, without unique effects or sounds. Level 2 ( 10): Unlocks "Reactivity" - Earning eliminations enhances the visual and sound effects of the weapon. Resets back to base when eliminated. Level 3 ( 10): Unlocks the weapon flourish animation - Soldier: 76 inspects his weapon, with blue soul orbs orbiting it. Can be looped. Level 4 ( 10): Unlocks unique kill effect - final blows or assists by Soldier: 76 will make the enemy burst into spiral blue flames, with a blue soul orb being absorbed by the weapon.
Widowmaker	Dame Chance	Level 1 ( 50): Unlocks the base weapon skin, without unique effects or sounds. Level 2 ( 10): Unlocks "Reactivity" - Earning eliminations enhances the visual and sound effects of the weapon. Weapon also displays the total eliminations made by the player. The weapon's visuals reset back to base when eliminated, but the counter doesn't. Level 3 ( 10): Unlocks the weapon flourish animation - Widowmaker performs a spin with her Grappling Hook, which can be used mid-animation. Can be looped. Level 4 ( 10): Unlocks unique kill effect - final blows or assists by Widowmaker will make the enemy burst into a violet X shaped cut, with only the eliminate hero's weapon remaining.

Trivia

The Los Muertos Skins have colour-changing effects based on their exposure to light. Whilst entered or exiting dark vicinities, the weapon will quickly switch to its counterpart colour. However this effect is so accurate, you can have your weapon half exposed to light and dark areas, causing the weapon to have both colours equipped like a gradient.
The Mythic Bound Demon weapon skin for Reinhardt was the first ever Mythic cosmetic released that wasn't a hero Skin until Season 14. It was also the first ever Mythic cosmetic for Reinhardt.
Mercy's Mythic Weapon Skin features a small hamster who's known as Eleos, the Hamster of Benevolence.
- Eleos means "Mercy" in Greek.
Mercy's Mythic Weapon is the only one to not upgrade effects or GUI in throughout a match.
Reaper's Mythic Weapon, Steel Death, was the first Mythic Weapon Skin to release at the start of a Season, rather than mid-season.

References

↑ Blizzard Entertainment (2023-12-04). OVERWATCH® 2 – SEASON 8: CALL OF THE HUNT BEGINS DECEMBER 5. Retrieved on March 26, 2024.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Overwatch [@PlayOverwatch] (2024-08-15). Developer Update. Retrieved on August 15, 2024.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Blizzard Entertainment (2024-06-17). WHEN THE FORCES OF EVIL RISE, SEASON 11: SUPER MEGA ULTRAWATCH IS HERE!. Retrieved on June 24, 2024.

[S8Blog-1] Blizzard Entertainment (2023-12-04). OVERWATCH® 2 – SEASON 8: CALL OF THE HUNT BEGINS DECEMBER 5. Retrieved on March 26, 2024.

[S12devupd-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Overwatch [@PlayOverwatch] (2024-08-15). Developer Update. Retrieved on August 15, 2024.

[S11Blog-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Blizzard Entertainment (2024-06-17). WHEN THE FORCES OF EVIL RISE, SEASON 11: SUPER MEGA ULTRAWATCH IS HERE!. Retrieved on June 24, 2024.

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